By Gift Olivia Samuel, The Sight News
The Minister of State for Power, Goddy Jeddy Agba has stated that over 300 key and highly skilled professionals are to be engaged upon completion of the Zungeru Hydropower project.
Agba made this statement while witnessing the Non Load Test on Unit 1 of the 700MW Zungeru Hydropower project in Niger State on Monday, 28th March, 2022, a statement by the Assistant Director, Press, Odutayo Oluseyi disclosed.
Highlighting the composition of the dam, Agba said, “the dam is built of a new engineering technology utilizing the Roller-compacted Concrete (RCC) which has ensured the shortening of the completion of the core civil construction period by over 2 years, while the Electro-mechanical components especially the 4-units Francis turbines are from the reputable world class Original Equipment Manufacturers, General Electric”.
He said the implementation of the project is aimed to further enhance the engineering and technical knowledge acquisition of the Nigeria engineers, in line with the Presidential Order No 5 as signed by President Muhammadu Buhari, which has immensely transformed most of the engineers on the project to world class specialists based on acquired expertise on the project.
He states the economic benefits of the project for the people of Niger State to include: Water Supply Schemes for Community Use, Dry Season Farming and Irrigation, Flood Control Mechanism, Aqua-tourism opportunities, increased economic, and social well-being of the host community.
Agba also said the leadership of President Buhari, is committed to working together with all strategic partners in attaining the core objectives across the various energy reform policies and will continue to promote and drive such initiatives.
While thanking the Chinese Government for the unique cooperation and synergy existing between China and Nigeria which has been pivotal to achieving the progress so far, the Minister also thanked Niger State governor, the good people of the State and the community, promising that with the joint efforts of the Niger State government and the Federal government, all due compensations would be paid to affected communities.
Speaking earlier the Project Consultant Engr. Dr. Johnson Bamidele Olorunsola Adewumi, Chairman, Decrown West Africa Company Ltd, said on completion of the project, Nigeria will have delivered a world class project by every standard.
“This project will deliver 2,630GWh of clean renewable electricity annually from the second largest dam reservoir in Nigeria”, he said.
